Moscow Accuses Sanctions for the Breakdown of Russia-UN Food Agreement: What It Means for Global Food Security

Russia announced on Saturday that its deal with the United Nations to allow exports of Russian food and fertilizers has fallen apart. This collapse is linked to Western sanctions imposed due to Russia’s ongoing military actions in Ukraine. The UN had recently stated that the three-year agreement, signed in 2022 to stabilize global food prices, would end on July 22.

A source close to the negotiations said the deal “will not be renewed” because of unresolved disputes. Even though the UN aimed to facilitate the exports despite sanctions, Russia’s Foreign Ministry voiced that extending the agreement was not planned, attributing failure to the “destructive line” of Western capitals.

While sanctions on Russia did not target fertilizers and grain directly, they created a climate of fear among transporters. High insurance costs and reluctance to engage in transactions left many hesitant to participate in exports. Although a framework was created to help negotiate these challenges, Russia, the world’s leading fertilizer producer, felt that it still faced challenges due to secondary sanctions.

Despite this setback, the Foreign Ministry mentioned that discussions might continue to support “global food security.”

Interestingly, another agreement, also signed on July 22, 2022, focused on allowing Ukrainian grain exports that were blocked during the conflict. This deal was perceived as more successful, but after complaints regarding foreign trade restrictions, Russia declined to extend it when it expired in July 2023.

Recent statistics show that global food prices have fluctuated significantly in the past months, reflecting ongoing instability in supply chains. This situation has led to rising concerns over food insecurity in various regions, pointing to the broader consequences of these geopolitical tensions.

User reactions on social media highlight shared worries about how these developments affect food access in multiple countries. People are increasingly voicing their fears about potential hunger crises stemming from this disruption.

For further insights into the implications of sanctions on global agriculture, consider looking at the latest report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

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United Nations,Economy,Foreign Ministry